Amazon is pushing exclusive Kindle eBook content with two new programs. The company launched Kindle Countdown Deals this week, offering limited-time discounts (with a countdown timer) on eBooks available exclusively through the Kindle Store.

Meanwhile, the new Kindle First program let you purchase titles a small group of new release eBooks a month before they’re more widely available. Anyone can grab one of these books for $1.99, and Amazon Prime subscribers can download them for free.

Amazon Kindle First
Amazon Kindle First 

There are a few caveats. The Kindle First program only includes 4 books a month, and they all come from Amazon Publishing. While there are some big-name authors who use Amazon’s in-house publishing service, don’t expect to find every upcoming release from your favorite authors here.

As for Kindle Countdown Deals, Amazon will only offer these bargains on titles included in the KDP Select program.

The good news is Amazon seems to have funny idea of what counts as a Kindle exclusive. For instance, you can now pick up Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five for 99 cents as part of a Countdown deal. The same book is available at the B&N NOOK store and other eBook marketplaces, but at higher prices.

It must just be this particular edition of the book that’s a Kindle exclusive.

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